Police chief fired amid allegations of racial profiling

Forest Park’s longtime police chief was fired Monday night after accusations of racial profiling emerged, Channel 2 Action News has reported.

Following an executive session, the Forest Park City Council voted 3-2 to terminate Dwayne Hobbs, who had a 45-year career with the department and served several terms as interim city manager.

Council members Dabouze Antoine, Latresa Wells and Kimberly James voted in favor of firing Hobbs, the news station reported.

“Well, the people spoke,” Antoine said. “The people wanted change. I’m a voice for the people, and the city decided to go a different direction.”

Hobbs, who denied the allegations in an interview with Channel 2 last week, wasn’t seen at Monday night’s council meeting.

During the interview, Hobbs told Channel 2 that two city council members accused his department of racial profiling during a public meeting in August. However, “I had no dream it could end like this,” he said.

Antoine wouldn’t confirm to Channel 2 if the accusations were the reason for his vote to oust the police chief.

Police Capt. Jason Armstrong has been named interim chief, the news station reported.

‘I’m a voice for the people, and the city decided to go a different direction.’ Dabouze Antoine